I am learning ???

Limey Linda · 28 April 2007, 00:02

First and foremost many thanks to peeps both sides of the pond with my initial problems. Also to the existence of this great forum ( thanks JK). I think I have solved the blown hyd. steering seals problem. You just cannot buy them from the maker/dealers. A local hydraulic repair shop has offered to rebuild it for parts cost and 1 hour of labour if I take it in. after spending 5 hours trying to find parts I did not quibble. Have found a local Mercury Dealer that will service the engine. Next priority is to check out the trailer so I do not end up in a ditch; and get the correct size tow ball.
Thanks again to all
Tony.
Time to update my profile I guess

BBirnie · 28 April 2007, 01:17

Congratulations on the new boat

I was just looking at that rib this past weekend on ebay, seems like a great deal. Post some pics when you can of your progress on it.

Limey Linda · 28 April 2007, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBirnie

Congratulations on the new boat

I was just looking at that rib this past weekend on ebay, seems like a great deal. Post some pics when you can of your progress on it.

Will take a while for pics. Trying to get the trailer sorted so I can move it.
Has 50mm ISO tow coupling and cannot find a ball. will have to make one from a 2 inch ( 50.1mm). Got trailer electrical sorted today. It is bloody hot ( 95 degrees) so I am moving slowly.

Poly · 28 April 2007, 21:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

Will take a while for pics. Trying to get the trailer sorted so I can move it.
Has 50mm ISO tow coupling and cannot find a ball. will have to make one from a 2 inch ( 50.1mm). Got trailer electrical sorted today. It is bloody hot ( 95 degrees) so I am moving slowly.

would it be easier to change the hitch on the trailer to one of your weird american standards?

rickuk3 · 28 April 2007, 21:47

Or buy a tow ball from the UK, it would make it difficult for someone to nick the boat

Richard

Limey Linda · 29 April 2007, 00:05

Would be very costly to change the hitch as it is part of the braking system. Buying a 50mm ball from the Uk would not prevent it being nicked as the US. 2 inch is 1mm bigger and would easily work. Will only take be about an hour to turn a 2 inch ball ( 50.1mm) in a 50 mm. so no big deal. Just chuck it up in the lathe and skim off the extra 1mm. from the horizontal diameter. The radius at the top will be slightly off but so close as to make no difference.
Thanks for all the input.
When will the arrogant USA come in line with the rest of the world? Tow balls, DVD's, video tapes etc, etc, etc,

Limey Linda · 29 April 2007, 01:14

After careful deliberation, consultation, and thought, I have decided on a name for my new ( needs fixin) boat. This required considerable discussion with my Uncle who is the sole survivor of a family of 5 brothers that were RN. Capital ships served upon included the Hood ( unfortunately) ARK ( two of them), Victorious, Royal Yacht, Illustrious, Repulse etc. etc.
We decided upon "The Inde" thus connected with CS Forester's "Hornblower" and the carrier.
We agreed that using the full name "Indefatigable" was going a bit to far.
Wish I could fly the Blue ensign but I cannot, but my Dad could.
Hope this meets with approval. Somewhat ironic as it is an Italian boat and the history of Battle of Taranto.

Cheers to all
T.

Poly · 29 April 2007, 08:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

Would be very costly to change the hitch as it is part of the braking system.

Ah - ok.

Quote:

Buying a 50mm ball from the Uk would not prevent it being nicked as the US. 2 inch is 1mm bigger and would easily work.

you should be able to buy a 50mm ball in the US - I think overtons sell them - sure I have seen some unusual "multiway" balls to cover the possibility.

Quote:

Will only take be about an hour to turn a 2 inch ball ( 50.1mm) in a 50 mm. so no big deal. Just chuck it up in the lathe and skim off the extra 1mm. from the horizontal diameter. The radius at the top will be slightly off but so close as to make no difference.

2" is 50.8mm not 50.1 mm

That sort of modification would invalidate EC type approval in the UK and thus effectively be illegal - of course it would almost certainly be unnoticed unless you were involved in an accident.

Is there a risk that someone tries to tow a 2" hitch with this ball at some point in the future (it will fit but may not be as secure) - and has an accident?

Limey Linda · 29 April 2007, 13:30

Polwart
All good points. The multiway is 1/78, 2 and 2/5/6 inchs. No 50mm.
Will continue the search for a 50mm. In the mean time I will have to use a modified 2 inch.
Thanks.

Stoo · 30 April 2007, 12:04

I'm sure one of our mates from "over-'ome" would have the balls to share...

jyasaki · 30 April 2007, 15:04

Does the .8mm actually make a difference? I didn't think tolerances on hitches were that tight.

jky

Limey Linda · 30 April 2007, 16:39

JKY
You are probably correct. However I am still going to modify a 2 inch. Currently using a 1 7/8 just to move it around. I put a jack under the tongue to test if will come off and it will not due to the lock mechanism. Thank goodness we do have to put up with the CE regs. and Brussels EU. idiots who will sometime in the future pass a law on how often you should go to the toilet and how many sheets of paper you can use.

Regards, T.

Apherel · 01 May 2007, 10:38

Limey Linda,

How difficult is it to get a 50mm ball in the US?

It might sound silly, but my wife is going to Toronto on Thursday am, and can probably take one from Australia and drop it in the post. Wouldn't cost too much and I'm sure you could reciprocate info somehow!

Drop me a pm with address details if you think it's worth it.

Limey Linda · 02 May 2007, 20:07

Today I purchased 1 qt. each of Toluene and Xylene. Did a test on the tubes and found that the Xylene is slghtly more agressive than the Toluene. By agressive I mean that the rag I used for wiping had more tube colour on it than the other one. Both work well. Not much risk of doing any damage as the air temp is 80degrees F. and both evaporate almost instantly.
T.

Limey Linda · 02 May 2007, 23:52

I will try to attach a photo of my tube cleaning tests today. Upper panel was cleaned with Xylene, the lower panel was cleaned with Magic formula, I then went back to the upper panel and cleaned half of it with MF. I am very pleased with the result. The Xylene cleaning required hard rubbing with a coarse cloth
The MF was painted on with a brush, left for 3 mins. and then hosed off.
PS. Works great on fibreglass also.

Limey Linda · 03 May 2007, 17:11

I did some experimenting. Needless to say I take no responsibility for the use of this method of tube/ fibreglass cleaning

2 parts water
1 part Muriatic acid. (add acid to water not the other way)
Stir with wood/plastic stick
Drizzle in 'White N' Brite while stiring until consitency is about equiv. to thin custard
Paint on with stiff brush and leave for 4 mins. Use brush to work into the more stubborn stains.
Hose off with water
Clean one section at a time not whole boat

White N' Brite is available from swimming pool wholesalers for acid washing plaster pools.

Wear eye protection, rubber gloves and old clothes. Do not allow hosed of residue to puddle for any length of time inside the hull. Do not do this on your front lawn as it will kill it. It will not remove rubber/PVC marks so spot clean these with solvent first. See photo in previous post.

Regards, T.

Stoo · 04 May 2007, 01:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

I did some experimenting.

LOL... I think I'll wait for a bit until I try this... Perhaps you could post a further report in a few weeks and let us know if your tubes are still intact!

BBirnie · 04 May 2007, 12:16

Looks like your special mixture does a pretty good job T. I personally prefer the elbow grease method myself but hypalon is some pretty tough stuff. I use 3m fabric cleaner mixed in a hot bucket of water and lots of scotch bright pads + sweat and tears. Putting acids and thinners still scare me so keep us posted on how everything turns out, you might save me from tennis elbow yet

.

Limey Linda · 04 May 2007, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoo

LOL... I think I'll wait for a bit until I try this... Perhaps you could post a further report in a few weeks and let us know if your tubes are still intact!

Hi Stoo
Check out http://www.pre-owned-yacht-tenders.com/tender.htm
I would not get it near metal however. The White N brite is a thickener so it does not run where you do not want it. I estimate I can do my whole boat ( 7meter) for about $22. No ill effects on test area after 3 days.
Tony

pathalla · 05 May 2007, 02:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

Hi Stoo
Check out http://www.pre-owned-yacht-tenders.com/tender.htm
I would not get it near metal however. The White N brite is a thickener so it does not run where you do not want it. I estimate I can do my whole boat ( 7meter) for about $22. No ill effects on test area after 3 days.
Tony

I was uneasy about what you were using limey but it looks like you have done your homework! Something I sure as hell didn't know...
I am going make a confession.. I have never cleaned the tubes on my current boat.. course they are black so no one notices!